Wokingham Times readers brand Peach Place 'Uninspiring, dull and a waste of money'

Reader are distinctly unimpressed by the first stage of the town's multi-million regeneration

Wokingham Times readers are distinctly underwhelmed by the first part of the new Peach Place

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Uninspiring, dull and a waste of money – that’s the verdict of many readers who have taken to social media to criticise the new-look Peach Place.

Hoardings on the first phase of Wokingham town centre’s multi-million pound regeneration on the corner of Rose Street and Broad Street came down last week.

While all are pleased progress is finally under way, the frontage on Rose Street was met with groans of disappointment and expressions of bemusement on the Facebook and web pages of The Wokingham Times.

Councillor Philip Mirfin, the borough’s executive member for regeneration, last week described the new facade as “impressive” – a sentiment that baffled many readers who claim the building looks like cardboard, could have been built in the 1960s and is out of keeping with Wokingham’s historical centre.

On getwokingham.co.uk, Justin Getread declared the redesign a disappointment.

“Could we have the hoardings back? At least they held out the hope that something attractive and appropriate for the town centre was being created behind them,” he wrote.

On Facebook, Kay Moss commented: “Looks plain and boring, and how does this make people want to shop in Wokingham? No character at all, horrible! Who passed the plans?”

Peach Place is the first visible sign of the long-promised £95million town centre regeneration.

Other commentators showed muted support for the work, while questioning the choice of windows so close to the town hall.

Rob Webb remarked: “Given the time it’s taken to remodel the building it’s a little underwhelming.

“On the plus side it’s definitely an improvement, but it still looks like a 60s building and traditional style windows, more in keeping with the neighbouring buildings, would have improved the look.”

Davide Salmon wrote on getwokingham: “The red brick façade and windows on Rose Street don’t look too bad but the anthracite grey windows against the white façade on the town hall side contrast with the Georgian windows of the neighbouring building and look so out of place.

“It will look a lot better if they install Georgian windows there too. Hopefully it’s not too late to replace those ugly grey windows.”

Support came from Kirsty Moors who believes it is a “vast improvement”, but wondered if the original plans were “more Georgian-looking”.

The rest of the project should be finished by the end of July while councillors are continuing to work with architects to redesign further phases which were pulled six months ago.

Georgina Hustler, owner of Antique Rose in Bush Walk and a member of Wokingham Town Team which works to promote the town as a shopping destination, said the building “looked as expected”.

She said: “It is an improvement, but they need to get on with the rest of the regeneration.

“This isn’t enough to save our high street.”

Cllr Keith Baker, executive member for strategic planning and highways and the borough’s prospective leader, said it was inevitable some would regard the work as a carbuncle while others would approve.

He said: “I think it is a massive improvement and demonstrates we are very serious about regenerating the town. If we had had nothing but praise I would be concerned as life isn’t like that.